The Constitution of the United States

1. The Constitution of the United States

2. Drafting a Constitution • Articles were doomed to Fail • USA Lacked Central leadership • A Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 • Many states called for stronger central Government • Delegates • Revolutionary Veterans • Signers of Declaration of Independence • White, Landowning, males

3. Convention Problems Problems that need to be solved: • Problem 1: Balance between State and Federal • Problem 2: Balance between North and South • Problem 3: Balance between BIG states and Small states • Two Plans proposed– The Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan

4. The Virginia Plan • Gov. would have 3 branches: • Executive, Legislative, Judicial • Legislature would be bi-cameral (2 house) • Voters choose lower house – lower house chooses upper house • Population would determine number of votes of each state • National Gov. is above each state

5. New Jersey Plan Smaller states objected: Virginia plan would give large states (Virginia) Most of the votes and power NJ Plan: • Change system to give congress more power • Each state would have EQUAL Representation in Gov.

6. “The Great Compromise” “The Two Ideas…ought to be combined; that one branch the people ought to be represented; in the other the states.” • The Senate (upper house) would have 2 reps from each state • The Representatives (lower house) would be based on states population

7. Compromise on Slavery Slave Population gave South huge Pop. Advantage • Also Raise taxes – Property Tax • Southerners wanted to count for Reps. But not for Taxes • 3/5 compromise • Slave = 3/5 person • Compromise on Reps. And Taxes

8. Compromise on Slavery No Ban on Slavery Considered – Unity Needed more than Abolition • Agreed: • Importation would continue for 20 more years – then no more • Fugitive Slave Clause: A runaway slave to another state must be returned to its owner across state lines

9. Checks and Balances Enlightenment ideals states that effective governments need Checks & Balances • Balance between President/ Congress • Balance between States/ Federal • Convention gave MOST Power to the Congress (fear of Monarchy) • President elected by the states – Electoral College • States should follow popular vote

10. Checks and Balances • Office of VP – 2nd place vote recipient • Each Branch had the ability to slow/stop another branch • Ensured no branch would have too much power • Ensured no branch could not dominate the others

11. Checks and Balances • Planning the Court System • Wanted courts to maintain independent status • Judges nominated by President/ Approved by Congress • Judges could not be fired without just cause

13. Federalists vs. AntiFederalists • Fear of Strong Central Government • Federalists: Supporters of Constitution with strong central Gov. • AntiFederalists: Opponents of the constitution in its present form and sought a weaker central Gov.

14. The Federalists Leaders: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Washington, Franklin Strong National Gov. = Republic Survives Fed. Gov. could end chaos between states Separation of Powers can prevent Tyranny

15. The Antifederalists Leaders: Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson • Wanted a new Gov. but not the one proposed • Suspicious of Strong central Gov. = just left a strong Gov. • Feared Fed. Gov. would abuse states/ Individuals • Demanded a Bill of Rights for protection

16. Final Ratification? Final draft was submitted to the states for approval Some delegates refused to sign because it lacked 1 component – A Bill of Rights